The holy month of Ramadan witnesses noble traits of giving and sharing among Muslims across the world. Giving is a common virtue in all religions, as it reflects an essential human quality. Human development cannot take place without sharing, caring and helping others. It is a noble habit that shapes and guides the way of life.
It is often said that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. No one has ever become poor by giving. In fact, the happiest people are not those who get more, but those who give more. Giving strengthens society and nurtures compassion among people.
In Islam, generosity is considered one of the finest qualities of a believer. Prophet Muhammad ﷺsaid: “The believer is simple and generous, while the wicked person is deceitful and ignoble.” Islam encourages the spirit of giving to such an extent that it forms one of the five pillars of Islam in the form of Zakat.
In Arabic, the word Zakat literally means purification. It refers to the payment of an obligatory charity from surplus wealth, which is meant to support the poor and the needy. The Qur’anic concept of Zakat includes charity, kindness, and moral as well as spiritual responsibility toward society. Besides Zakat, Islam also encourages voluntary charity known as Sadaqah.
Generosity does not mean giving only when one has plenty. A person can still give even when he himself is struggling. A true giver shares whatever he has and thinks about others as he thinks about himself.
The real measure of a person is not what he owns or consumes, but what he gives to others in terms of time, wealth and talent. Generosity is the opposite of stinginess, which is considered a disease of the heart. A stingy person is rarely happy, as true joy lies in sharing and caring.
The Holy Qur’an says: “Whatever you spend in good will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged.” Islam always advises its followers to be generous and to give charity, especially during the month of Ramadan.
According to a tradition of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, “Indeed, Allah the Exalted is the Giver. He loves generosity and noble manners and dislikes bad manners.” Another well-known saying of the Prophet states: “The upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is the hand that gives, and the lower hand is the hand that receives.”
During Ramadan, Muslims and social organisations actively engage in acts of charity and compassion. They organise relief activities, identify poor and needy families, and distribute food, clothes and financial assistance. These acts of kindness reflect the true spirit of Ramadan – a time that encourages generosity, compassion and social responsibility.